Steamtown resumes traditional Railfest schedule

Two diesel cab units and steam locomotive on display under cloudy skies

SCRANTON, Pa. — The National Park Service’s Steamtown National Historic Site this weekend revived its traditional Labor Day Railfest event, operating steam and diesel shuttle trains, demonstrating machine-shop skills, and providing a festival venue for a wide array of rail-related activities. After cancellations and schedule disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic, the event returned to […]

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RoadRailer service sails off into the sunset

Trailers on railroad wheels for RoadRailer service at twilight

A lot of diligent photographers were scattered along the old Wabash main line in Indiana and Illinois this past weekend to photograph the last runs of trains 255 and 256, the remnants of one of the most novel trains to ever grace American rails, Norfolk Southern’s Kansas City-Detroit RoadRailer service. What the fans were shooting […]

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News & Products for the week of August 26th 2024

A collection of model cabooses in various paint schemes

News & Products for the week of August 26th 2024   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of August 26th […]

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News & Products for the week of August 19th 2024

A black and orange model caboose

News & Products for the week of August 19th 2024   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of August 19th […]

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How to fine-tune wobbly rolling stock

HO scale boxcar being tipped from side to side

Sometimes, rolling stock needs a little fine tuning before it can be considered ready to run on a layout. One common quirk? Wobbling. Before you jump in and start making fixes, be sure to do some testing. Here’s how: With the model sitting on the track, lightly tip the body from side to side. If […]

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URHS adds third car for Hudson River Rail Excursions

Stainless steel passenger car next to electric locomotive in station

BOONTON, N.J. — The United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey has expanded the car fleet for its popular Hudson River Rail Excursions, adding a third car, New York Central sleeper-buffet-lounge Swift Stream, built by the Budd Co. in 1949. Tickets for space on this car will go on sale Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. […]

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News photos: Electrified service begins on Caltrain

Electrified and diesel trainsets meet at station

After a Aug. 10 event involving Gov. Gavin Newsom and other elected officials and VIPs, public service using Caltrain’s electric multiple-unit trainsets began on a limited basis on Sunday, Aug. 11, between San Jose, Calif., and San Francisco [see “Caltrain to place first electric trainsets in service,” Trains News Wire, Aug. 9, 2024]. Two of […]

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News & Products for the week of August 12th 2024

A navy blue and yellow model locomotive

News & Products for the week of August 12th 2024   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of August 12th […]

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Restoration and painting tips

two gray locomotive shells

You might recognize my name as a restorer of Lionel trains, this having been my livelihood for more than 50 years. Some people may question my sanity in giving up “secret” painting tips that I have used for decades; I don’t mind at all. If I can make the hobby more enjoyable to my fellow […]

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Caltrain to place first electric trainsets in service

Caltrain electric trainset passes through station

SAN FRANCISCO — Caltrain will begin public operation of its electrified trainsets this Sunday, Aug. 11, the news site SFGate reports. Agency spokesman Dan Lieberman told SFGate that “a couple” of the electric trains will be in operation, but that Caltrain has decided against announcing which specific trains will be operating with the new equipment […]

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